Practical Living through Biblical Principles

Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lordforever.

Our family recently suffered a terrible loss with the death of my 33 year old cousin. Grateful that it wasn’t to violence, but a painful loss nonetheless. It’s one thing to offer words of encouragement, send condolences, and pray for others who have suffered the loss of loved ones, but it’s entirely different when it hits closer to home.

Trying to make peace with the loss and trying to find comfort, I went to one of the most popular scriptures that people refer to when dealing with death, Psalm 23. What I discovered was nothing short of amazing to me. God allowed me to view this passage in a different light.

David wrote this passage out of his experience of shepherding sheep, but it was meant as an analogy to encourage us, to let us know that God consistently renews our strength, guides us along the correct path in this thing called life, walks with us through our toughest times and darkest valleys. He protects us at all times so there is no need to live in fear, even fear of our enemies, because God has the power and authority to bless us beyond abundance, all for His Glory.

Something to think about: If we open ourselves up and surrender our everything to Him, He’ll do all of that and more. He’ll make sure you live forever in His presence, in eternity with Him.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I honor you, I bless you, and I exalt you. Thank you for your new mercies each day. Thank you for consistently renewing my strength, for prompting me to make the right choices and the right decisions. Thank you for walking with me and comforting me as I am at my lowest of lows, through valleys that I’ve never known can be so dark. Thank you for allowing me to abide under the shadow of your protection…

Like this:

Luke 12:51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

Christ came to bring us life, right? But He also came to bring division. Huh? Can it be true? See, believing in Him can cause division and conflict among the closest of friends and family. Some of your family will not understand why you’re choosing to live your life for God. Some might even think it’s stupid.

Something to think about: How do you cope? Remember that it’s more important what God thinks about you than what anybody else thinks. Your love for God might make it difficult for you to get along with your friends and family, but remember, God will always have your best interest at heart.

Prayer Starter: Father in the name of Jesus teach me to trust solely in you and to not to care about what the world thinks of me. I believe in you God and I will live for you…

Like this:

Joshua 23:6 Be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses.

A basketball team without a coach won’t have a chance on the court. Do you feel like your life has no coach? Well it does. We’ve been given a coach and a playbook. In fact, the coach shows up to every practice and to every game. He’s on your side screaming for your win and shouting out every play.

He can tell you how and when to dribble down the court, shoot a layup and score, or just to pass the ball. He promises you a big win if you just call Him coach.

Something to think about: Are you tired of making up your own plays? Tired of being defeated by the other guys? Sign up for God’s team, and let Him call the plays in your life.

Prayer Starter: Father in the name of Jesus, I am tired of making up my own plays and making the situation worst. Please show me how to wait on you God and…

Like this:

John 5:6 –When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

Are you desperate and determined for a change? Some people are desperate for a change, but not determined to do what is necessary for the change.

You’ve got to be willing to look at your situation and see change occurring from various perspectives.

Do you want the change or blessings enough not to care what people think or say about you?

Something to think about: Some people want a change, but are reluctant to receive it. Before you receive your blessing, you have to do an assessment to determine if you really want the blessing, which means you are ready to accept the responsibility and accountability of the blessing. Often times, we want the blessing or change without the responsibility or accountability.

Prayer Starter: Lord, prepare me for the change I am seeking. I realize that with change, often comes trials to help make me stronger. I come leaning not to my own understanding, but placing my trust in you. I understand that change may not come the way I see it occurring, so help me see change occurring from different perspectives…

Like this:

Ephesians 4:20 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

God has given us the riches of His grace. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. I am so grateful that God is not a stingy God who dishes out His blessings in small portions. He loves us so much that He pours out forgiveness and crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies.

Something to think about: There are times when we think that God has not provided for us as we would like. But if God never does anything more than forgive our sins and guarantee heaven for us, He has already been abundantly generous! So start your day by thanking God for how generous He is. Amen!

Prayer Starter: Father in the name of Jesus please help me to remember how generous that you are to me. Show me how to extend that generosity toward those around me…

Like this:

Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek FIRST the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Sometimes, our daily lives cause us to worry about things that God tells not to worry about. We worry about how the bills are going to get paid each month, how we are going to eat, getting the next job to make more money in hopes to relieve us of the worrying.

Have you ever heard of the saying, “if you want different results, try something different?” Apply this to your life today. I’m a firm believer that sometimes God places us in certain situations, to get what He needs from us. Maybe you’ve been looking for a new job with a large increase in salary, however, it seems like nothing has really come your way. The Bible says to “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be given unto you.” Well what does that mean? It means to seek God for all of his Glory. How do you seek God? Prayer, Fasting, Reading and studying the Word! Spend time in God’s presence.

Something to think about: Being a Believer in Christ is a lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to give Him more of yourself. That’s all He wants all along. When you seek Him, ask Him for what your heart desires and He’ll bless you more than you could ever imagine. Try it! What do you have to lose?!

Prayer Starter: God we thank you for awarding us fresh mercies from day to day. Teach us to cast all of our cares on you. You told us that the battle at hand is never ours to fight, but they are yours to fight for us. Give us a thirst for you, so that we may earnestly seek you and your righteousness. All these things we pray and ask of you, we declare it done in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Like this:

Ephesians 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.

There are people who desire to climb mountains as a sport. The key is to make it safely to the top. In order for climbers to make it safely to the top, they must watch every step. If a person is not careful, he or she could fall on the journey. The keys to a successful climb are concentration and caution.

I can’t think of a better picture of what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:15 when he says, “walk circumspectly.” We should be very careful how we live. With all of life’s possible dangers coming our way as we climb through life, it is vital that we take each step with Jesus wisely and cautiously. A fool, the passage says, live carelessly: a wise person watches each step so he does not stumble or fall.

Something to think about: Our goal should be “imitators of God.” Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can walk in a way that honors God. AS we trust God to rule our hearts, our feet can walk His way!

Prayer Starter: Father in the name of Jesus, my desire is not to walk as fools do but to walk wisely…